MAREN MEINHARDT works at the Times Literary Supplement in London, where she is the editor for Anthropology, German Literature, and Science. She studied psychology and literature at the London School of Economics and the University of Sussex. Her spare time is spent trying to locate wild and unexplored nature outside London.
PRAISE FOR ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT ...Maren Meinhardt's enthralling new account of Humboldt's life...examines the multiple influences on an exceptionally long life... the Humboldt shown by Meinhardt's deft selection of quotations has...personality and wit...[a] beguiling and beautifully written account... --THE NEW YORK REVIEW OF BOOKS Even in that glory age of Romantic art and scientific and geographical discovery, Alexander von Humboldt stands out as a giant. This is a superb portrait worthy of its impressive subject, a picture of the great man and of his fascinating times written with concision, brio and infectious love. --A. N. WILSON, author of Victoria: A Life ...[a] subtle biography...intriguing... --NATURE ...[a] deeply informed and straightforward account of [Humboldt's] career and personal life...[a] scrupulous and absorbing biography...This clear-sighted study allows the reader to approach his work afresh...It will win new readers for him. --THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT Maren Meinhardt follows Alexander von Humboldt on his many personal and professional journeys, tracing the great naturalist's footsteps with precision and love. She shows how his longing for wide and unknown things extended beyond the geographical realm to permeate his whole personality. This is biography as it should be: wondrous, romantic and deeply intelligent. --RUTH SCURR, author of John Aubrey: My Own Life ...[an] evocative and perceptive biography...a brisk, fluent and erudite approach...plenty of wit and insight... --LITERARY REVIEW (U.K.) ...[a] captivating new biography...dramatically drawn by Meinhardt...Humboldt's life and beliefs are extraordinarily evocative today. --THE LANCET ...a completely convincing biographical portrait of a highly complex individual...[a] lovely, profound book. --SCOTTISH REVIEW OF BOOKS